OH! THE PLACES YOU’LL GO
Dear Family and Friends
September Highlights
10:10
September was a superb time for us as a family with adventures hither and yon, and enjoying the great community of our friends here in the Bay Area.Travelling Light?
According to our energy usage, September saw our gas consumption plummet, we used 30% less than last year in fact. And electricity fell below the 10% line at last. 
Colman pointed out that this is no doubt due to our being away so much in the month. But still, encouraging.You’re Off to Great Places!
And yes, being away meant travel. Two trips out of SF in the car, and a flight to Vancouver and a return flight from Seattle. 
There’s no denying that flying is the single worst carbon-burning activity we can do as burnt fuel creates three times its weight in CO2, and emissions at high altitude are far worse than at low altitude (long-haul flights aren’t necessarily more efficient per mile because the craft has to lift more fuel).I was very proud of my packing skills for our holiday. Everything for 10 days was in one small wheely suitcase each, including toys and books for Esme.
And we had space to spare. This was in no small measure due to thinking through it all a couple of days before, and choosing clothes in one colour scheme (black, white, grey with some blue and purple highlights) so everything worked with each other and got full use on the holiday. It also meant that despite our schedule of 2 nights, 1 night, 2 nights, 1 night, 2 nights in each location, we didn’t have to heave around huge amounts of luggage, and didn’t lose anything en route.
You Have Brains in Your Head. You Have Feet in Your Shoes
We lead, for the average Western family, a pretty low carbon lifestyle in the main. But no question, travel, especially flying, is the high carbon activity we find near impossible to give up.
Yes we can tinker at the margins: we have striven to take public transport instead of taxis this year (helped by that excellent google transport mapping app on our iphones); carrying a lighter load helps; 
always fly economy (business and first class use up a higher proportion of the plane and the greater cost of the ticket provides a greater proportion of the commercial incentive of the flight); make your flights count by going for longer but less often and by doing things abroad you couldn’t do at home; take local trips involving less travel time so you get more holiday. 
You Can Steer Yourself Any Direction You Choose
But ultimately, until our misguided governments actually change our economies so that subsidies go to green energy, and we eschew our fossil fuel addiction, most of us need to fly less, a lot less. According to the very helpful How Bad Are Bananas?, aviation accounts for about 12% of the carbon footprint of all consumption.
The book also calculates that cycling a mile (if the rider is powered by bananas or breakfast cereal rather than cheeseburgers) costs the environment just .065-.09kg CO2, by train it is .15kg CO2, by car a mile in congestion is 4.4kg CO2 and in free-flowing traffic at optimum petrol consumption is 1.47kg CO2 – although that depends on the age and fuel efficiency of the vehicle and numbers of passengers.
In short, travel is one of the major contributors to personal CO2 consumption. Travel by bike, bus, train, foot or lift-share wherever possible. And motorists, treat cyclists with respect as they are helping to cut everybody’s journey time!A random insert: this was Esme’s favourite video of the summer – Boxwars is proof that you can have a fabulously daft time with biodegradable cardboard. Bit messy though!
Box Wars III - San Francisco (August 2010) from Nilanjan Nag on Vimeo.
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Adventure of the Month
Lassen Volcanic National Park
For the Labor Day long weekend at the beginning of September, we headed NE from SF, overnighting in a classic motel in Chico, for Lassen Volcanic National Park –
a destination I had long wanted to visit.Mt Lassen is the dominant volcano in the park
(seen here with its Vulcan's Eye feature).
It erupted last in 1915-17and is the largest plug dome volcano in the world.
The park is in the Cascade Range, which includes Mount St Helens, and has extraordinary landscapes:
stark volcanic rugged beauty at higher elevations,
surrounded by Alpine lakes and a bristling forest of conifers.
The road in from the south passes the spanking new Visitor Centre where we watched a film about volcanoes, which excited Esme no end, judging by her running commentary.
The road then climbs up in a series of switchbacks, dark green forest contrasting with bare-faced scree,
Jewelled-lakes studding the landscape;
the area is alive still with hot springs, stinky fumaroles and mud pots.
Panoramas included no fewer than six volcanic peaks in a single gaze.The park uniquely holds all four types of volcano.
We arrived around lunchtime at our campsite beside the supremely tranquil Summit Lake, in the heart of the park.
An elevation of 7000ft (2066m).
We took Esme on an amble around the lakefrom where you can see Lassen Peak (10457ft) rising majestically above the treeline.
I had booked four campsites close together. Our first arrivals I expected to be Colman’s surprise, Danny and Akemi.
I was convinced Colman had guessed
but he shot out of the tent in astonishment and delight hearing Danny’s Irish brogue.
Although dubbing themselves the Campers Without a Clue, the pair were superbly organised, with stacks of gear and delicious food. 
Next to arrive were Amy and Akhil whose campsite was our wedding present to them, plus Jen D.And after dusk Phu, Tara and Stella drove in to Esme’s great enthusiasm.
You’ll Be On Your Way Up!
In the morning, Phu and Tara produced breakfast, the group shared tales of sleep deprivation and cold.
The sun soon gilded our little glade with gold,
and a plan was devised for the girls to head for the lake loop,
while the boys hung out with the kids.
Danny and Akemi showed us all up by tackling the 16km round trip before mid-afternoon...but the four of us –
Jen, Amy, Tara and myself –
enjoyed our more gentle pace
(wheezing and coughing due to altitude, perish the thought we may be unfit)
as we headed for the first lake on the loop – Echo Lake.
The forest of lichen-furred conifers and lightning-charred stumps gave way 
to sub-alpine low-slung emerald Manzanita bushes contrasting with the brilliant blue sky.
Perhaps intoxicated by the thin mountain air, all four of us fell in love with Echo Lake.
We marvelled at its cobalt blue waters,
the Lodgepole Pines that had fallen into its clear shallows,
the Red Firs crowding down to its shores.
We drank in the sight from every angle as we circumnavigated the lake.
And returned to Summit Lake for lunch.
Our final campmates, Kristan and Soren, arrived to Esme’s delight!
It had been far too long since the playmates had seen each other.
By now, the sun was up high.
It was positively hot.
All present relaxed by the lake...
Soren and Stella had fun splashing in the water.Logs were balanced on.
The water was so clear (and chilly).
Next a watermelon snack.
Amy looked elegantly bridal with her extension nails still affixed and a picture hat.
Esme, to my irritation, wouldn’t even put a toe in the water and cried at the sight of me swimming – wuss!
Parents and children all piled in to Kristan’s people mover and we travelled to the Devastated Area.
So-named for the impact of the 1915 eruption.
An interpretive trail takes in some of the mammoth rocks which were carried here by the blast.
Views across the plateau display the lava pinnacles in all their glory.
Amazingly, the area is now revegetated,
with a wider diversity of plants than prior to the eruption
(Lassen uniquely mixes Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range and Great Basin flora).
In soils which comprise little more than ash!The kids loved playing on the erratic boulders.
All ash-covered on our return.
Excitable screams emitted from the tents for the next hour or so while dinner was prepped.
We swapped stories, shared food and booze, tried in vain to get the kids into bed early,
huddled round the fireplace in warmth and companionship,
and stared in awe at the extraordinary celestial panoply above.
Colman became nigh-on obsessed with the night skies, the best place for star gazing was the boardwalks by the lake.We all saw shooting stars, Pegasus and Andromeda. Glorious.
You’ll Be Seeing Great Sights!
A joint expedition was mounted to colourfully named but acid-bleached Bumpass Hell, where a 3 mile hike over rocky terrain takes you down to a geothermal basin.
Unfortunately every other person present in Lassen that weekend had decided on the same course of action. The only time we felt in any way crowded.
Those not in the family way (Amy, Akhil, Jen, Danny and Akemi) motored down to the bubbling mudpots and hissing sulphur-crusted fumaroles, 
while the rest of us ambled along to a spectacular 270ยบ lookout, loving the meadows of Alpine flowers,
the jagged craters, glaciated canyons,
and volcanic-peak skyline.
We were overtaken by the walking crew on their way back up,
Esme deciding that her legs were not working so I had to carry her most of the traverse back to the car park.
In the afternoon, most drove up to Manzanita Lake, near the Northern Entrance.
The road loops around the spectacular Chaos Crags which were formed just 1000 years ago.
300 years ago a dramatic cold rock avalanche sliced off the NW slope bringing boulders and debris flattening the forest all before,
damming a creek to form Manzanita Lake, and creating the aptly-named Chaos Jumbles.
Colman hung out with Danny and Akhil lakeside with a beer or three, Phu, Tara and Stella explored the lake and its ducks,
Kristan was with Soren and Esme back at serene Summit Lake (thanks darl!),
while Akemi, Amy, Jen and I walked to Crags Lake. Our path took us through a textbook progression of landscapes formed by fire and ice.
We began in verdant forests of tremendous trees, some fire-scarred, many swathed with mosses. 
Jen claimed you can tell the different pines by their smell and got us all sniffing trees. 
The Jeffrey Pine certainly repaid our efforts with its rich vanilla scent.Ascending through Ponderosa pine-needled paths, we came out into open Manzanita bush country where wildflowers were still blooming.
And then out onto vegetation-free harsh rocky landscape as we peered into the little Crags Lake basin.
We scrambled down into its depths, posed for photos against the stark brilliance of the terrain.
And reluctantly headed back down the slope.That night it was cold.
Even I thought so.
Every one of us was rugged up in a multiplicity of layers and accessories.
Except Esme.
Who refused to wear socks, jacket or even a cardigan.
Scampering around with extraordinary energy with a mad mane of dreadlocks and cold-chapped lips.
She only consented to wear pyjamas if she could go to sleep on top of the sleeping bag,
not inside it.
Akhil was in his element campfireside, but eventually we all made our way to the warmth of our sleeping bags.
You’ll Join the High Fliers Who Soar to High Heights
I was up earliest, rugged up as much as possible, to take in early sunlight around Summit Lake.
It was a truly beautiful morning. A frost had tipped the grasses silver, steam rose off the mirrored lake as the rays hit the water, and colour and life was abundant all around.
My circumnavigation brought me contemplation and gratitude.
Phu, Tara and Stella had left at first light, cleverly escaping the group photo.We struck camp and tried to eat as much of the still copious quantities of food as possible for breakfast.
Amy, Akhil and Jen were next to leave.
And then Danny and Akemi.
Esme had a whale of a time helping us pack up the tent. We left our gorgeous weekend home and drove to Kings Creek for a final hike. Esme was happy in the backpack for a bit, but progress was slow when she decided to walk.
Still, the scenery was delightful. A classic Alpine meadow complete with rushing stream, ancient lava flows, and open woods.
We rested for a while beside the overhang above Kings Creek Falls, marvelling at the views to the East across yet more amazing terrain.
We lunched beside the creek loving the dragonflies and birds swooping all around.
It had been a concern as to whether we would hit traffic on our journey back, 
especially after we joined the Burning Man route (and saw a few dusty Burners and their amazing contraptions), but in the event made it home in under five hours which was terrific.A sublime weekend!
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Foreign Expedition of the YearWherever You Fly, You’ll Be Best of the Best
For our second family holiday of the year we went for 9 days to Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Seattle.
Greeted by this totemic bird in the arrivals hall.
This was our first trip to Canada.Esme’s 6th country.
This is the view from our hotel window.
I was surprised to see so many skyscrapers and by how modern the city felt.It was a lovely sunny Saturday.
We took a tourist red bus trip
which does a figure of 8 through the city.
We got off in Stanley Park, a large urban park on a peninsula on the north of the city.
Here we explored its playgrounds,
strolled along the seawall along with other strollers, joggers, cyclists, power-walkers,
for views downtown.
Esme was given a helium-filled red balloon by a passer-by taken with her eyes.
The balloon accompanied us for the rest of the day.
We came across a game of cricket
being played by members of the Indian diaspora.
I was in my element explaining the rules to Esme of the ‘best game in the world’.
She loved the constant wave of seaplanes above our heads –
they were omnipresent for our entire NW Pacific trip.
Another constant in Canada: totem poles.
This collection is at the far end of the park.
Inside the seawall and ring road,
the park featured manicured gardens
cheek by jowl with thick woodland,
half a million trees of mostly secondary and tertiary growth.
Our circuit took us to the forested centre to discover ‘Little Beaver’s Lake’.We were intrigued by new saplings
growing out of the stumps of logged and storm-felled cedars.
We had had a full day of exploring the park, time to return.
Tired but happy until Esme let go of the balloon
to watch it helplessly drift into the trees above,
too high for recovery,
and Colman proved unable to understand my (very clear) hand signals while I was holding a sobbing child,
and us both failing to find the bus stop and exit.
It was nearly divorce.
Eventually we made it onto the last bus of the day and back to the hotel.
That evening, we dined with my cousin Lucy and her friend Rosie who had just flown in from the UK, and whose 2 week holiday to Vancouver and Seattle we were deliberately coinciding with.
Sunday saw overcast rainy conditions so we got back on the tourist bus, to Colman’s disgust, and got off at Granville Island for Esme to play in the kids arena (which cheered Colman up no end) and ride in toy cars,
while Rosie, Lucy and I went market browsing –
just how many ways can you do salmon??
Lunch in the market watched by beady-eyed gulls
was followed by a taxi ride to the Museum of Anthropology for its First Nations Pacific Northwest collection.
Fortuitously Esme slept for two hours so we could study the exhibits in detail. We were all struck by the history revealed from the artefacts displayed –
including ceremonial canoes, ancestral homes, heritage chests,
and carved totem poles of every height.
Especially the The Raven and The First Men by Bill Reid, an impressive yellow cedar sculpture, depicted on the Canadian $20 bill, which shows a sacred creation myth.
Dinner was a yummy Japanese (that cuisine is famous in Vancouver) restaurant
at which we only just managed to keep a wriggly Esme under control.
Wherever You Go, You Will Top All the Rest
It was very damp in the morning. We had a special Esme birthday breakfast in a quintessential 60s diner round the corner, which was fun,
although tryingly, Esme wasn’t disposed to sit down and wait for her food.We had a couple of presents with us for her to open on the day,
Lucy also kindly gave her a book and card.
Then farewell to Vancouver and (temporarily) to Lucy and Rosie, as we left for the ferry to take us across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island.
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You’ll Find the Bright Places Where Boom Bands are Playing
Wondrously the clouds parted for the journey and brilliant blue skies and seas revealed a complex series of islands, inlets and isthmuses,
on the approach into Swartz Bay,
the ferry terminal on Vancouver Island.
Esme loved playing with us on the deck,
the wind whipping our hair and clothes.
Then the rain rolled in again for the rest of the day.We arrived in Victoria and holed up in our room with a takeaway.
I went out after supper and photographed the shining wet streets of this historic (1841) city
which has preserved its heritage buildings.
Our whale-watching trip the following day
was one of the highlights of our holiday.
Even Esme was persuaded to wear a jumper on the boat. It was distinctly chilly.
We headed out of the harbour under leaden skies.
Luckily half-way through the trip the sun came out (and stayed out for the rest of the week in Canada),
and the colours of sea and sky burst into brilliance.
We had the luck to see two different kinds of whale – orca and humpback –
plus sealions and seals at Race Rocks, named for the swift currents which whipped around the outcrops.
Esme charmed our fellow passengers, thankfully. We had a terrific time.
For the next two days we based ourselves in Nanaimo - at a B&B complete with horse -and pottered up the east coast of Vancouver Island.
The sun shone warmly.We went exploring beaches, birding, and taking little boats –
this one took us to lovely Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park
- where we explored rock pools,
and sea strands, discovering crabs and jellyfish,
basking in warmth and companionship.
We loved Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, where deserted sandy beaches rippled to the shimmering seas,
which stretched to islands and snow-capped mountains beyond.
We had dinner one night with Lucy and Rosie who were staying near us in tree spheres, which they thought brilliant fun.
Next we headed inland to Lake Cowichan, framed by hills and thick forests.
It amazed me there were any trees left to log given the years the lumber industry has plied its trade, yet we saw many double-decker logging trucks thundering past.
After exploring the quaint Kaatza Station Museum which detailed pioneer logging life and where Esme clambered on ‘Emily’ (from Thomas the Tank Engine) in its grounds,
we found a small protected strip of virgin forest near Honeymoon Bay.
Here we had a picnic lunch, listened to the sound of our footsteps,
gazed at soft autumnal colours,
examined fungi, spiders and fallen leaves,
and scampered along trails.
Before heading along logging roads that plunged and switchbacked down to the Pacific coast.
Our destination – Port Renfrew – has breathtaking coastal scenery. And we stayed at our favourite hotel of the holiday, hilltop-set Soule Creek Lodge, which consists of wooden cabins and yurts,
all with wonderful Pacific and forest views.
Esme unfortunately had a HUGE meltdown on arrival in our charming wooden cabin (pictured) – our leisurely pace of travel and schedule (2 nights, 1 night, 2 nights, 1 night, 2 nights) still not ideal for her. It took half an hour for her to calm down, just in time for a gorgeous gourmet dinner served in the communal dining room overlooking the sound and sunset.
After dinner we took turns to loll in the hot tub, which was truly sublime:
I was secluded, beside a pergola, on the crest of a hill with a 360ยบ celestial panorama, no sound apart from the lapping of the silky water on my body. Utterly awesome.
We went to two beaches on our way back to Victoria: Sombrio Beach where we were the only non-surfers.
Esme recoiled slightly from the pungent kelp strewn across the pebbles.
We were fascinated by the thousands of little black spiders basking on the stones who disappeared in a trice when they sensed your approach.And then to China Beach Provincial State Park, whose beach you approached through avenues of towering trees.
We spent a blissful hour on a near-deserted strand, collecting shells, watching crabs scuttle
and looking across the Salish Sea to Washington State (our next destination),
as the clouds appeared to end our sunshine week.
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Ready for Anything Under the SkyWe took a foot ferry across the Salish Sea and through the Puget Sound to Seattle.
Unfortunately the sun set before we reached American waters, and we missed this amazing approach, which had rather been the point of the ferry journey.
Still we made it to swanky boutique Hotel Max without incident.
Where the lovely Tim met us the following morning. We had thought we might meet him for dinner but he was our invaluable tour guide for the next 24 hours.
Thank you my dear!
He took us first to the famous Farmers Market for brunch.And to see the fish vendors perform their sales shtick and admire yet more ways to do salmon.
Esme got to sit on the bronze pig.
We walked along the waterfront to the Olympic Sculpture Park which operates in several planes.
Rising from a little beach where Esme did her best seal impression on the rocks, up grassy swards and across railway tracks to the Art Museum at the top.
More downtown exploration included vintage clothes shopping,and a very welcome stop in a Capitol Hill wine bar for some rosรฉ for Tim and me.
We were asked to leave for having a pink stroller in tow – the sign on the door says it all.
Dinner was in the seafood-themed Blueacre restaurant where Tim got his Clams in Purgatory.
Lucy and Rosie arrived in Seattle that evening so I met up with them in the hotel bar for a drink or two.
Our last morning in Seattle saw Tim collect us all including Lucy and Rosiefor a yummy brunch in the Artists’ Republic of Fremont
which proudly boasts its own statue of Lenin.
Thereafter we strolled the markets before final emotional farewells to Lucy and Rosie. Hope it won’t be too long before we reconvene, cousin.
Tim drove us to the airport in a highly unnecessary but most welcome gesture.A tip top holiday all round!
Thanks to Colman and Esme for making it so.
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When I Was Three I Was Hardly Me
Kid, You’ll Move Mountains! Today is Your Day! 
Given we were away 3 out 4 weekends in September, we were very grateful to Anthony, our Visitor of the Month from London, timing his visit for the one were in the city (we had a lovely lunch, stroll around the neighbourhood including the murals, hosted him for dinner)...
...and particularly to Armani and Geoff for making most of the arrangements for Marcus and Esme’s joint 3rd birthday party - a teddy bear’s picnic.
She bought the food, organised trestle tables...
...and provided party favours in the shape of fun animal masks.
It was a charming occasion, sunny and warm. 
We were pleased so many friends came from Puddle Jumpers including Maite and Sophie Lee.
Jonathan was reunited with Vivienne.
Liz brought brand new baby Christina with her for a first sighting.
I got the ultimate picture capturing Stella, Bella and Zella in one frame!The Wine Night Group were also represented by Patrick, Catherine and Caroline.
Ava’s prowess on a pogo stick captivated the assembled kids who followed her around as if she were the Pied Piper.The party picnic was held in Duboce Park
Everybody wanted a go!
Esme and Marcus were good sports when the candles on Armani’s home-made cake wouldn’t stay alight in the wind.
Deep and Kimberley made a very stylish entrance on a rickshaw.
Adam and Jen made it – which meant we could toast them on their recent handfasting held at a ceremony at Burning Man.
We had a very leisurely and lovely social time, lounging with the grown ups at the end after all the families had left...... including Jane and Sophia.
Thanks everybody for coming along and for all your kind gifts!
which we managed to stretch out over a 2 month period, to ensure maximum appreciation!
We gave her a scooter which is sadly under-appreciated, but luckily it only cost us $10 at a garage sale!Top
Alcohol Event of the Month
There is Fun to be Done!
The gathering of the wine-drinking clans was held in Inverness on the occasion of Cathy’s special birthday. 
We went blackberrying!Arne and Cati brought baby Haraldur out to play.
Esme and Caroline were in raptures to see each other again!And there was a nice sense of passing on the baton when the two older girls played with Zella.
Everybody was present apart from Morgan and Margaret who were working all evening at a conference,
but we arranged a video link to the Moscone Center so we could all say “Hi”.
Cathy and Dave had arranged for their friend, Cider Cindy, who produces a host of artisanal ciders, to arrange a cider-tasting evening.Structured around a splendid meal.
The variety of ciders was quite extraordinary. The colours ranged from deep orange to the palest of primrose via a couple of pinks.
Flavours swung from earthy to frothy, some were fizzy, others flat as a pancake.
Amusingly, we had all got Cathy extensions to the extremely addictive Carcassonne; furtive game-playing in the garage extension took place all weekend.We camped on their deck, which was great until it rained the next day.
We had a very leisurely Sunday morning chilling, eating and reading.
Esme and I went down to the marshes when it finished raining, but there were no birds.
I had arranged a surprise for Colman on the way home – an overnight stay at the Inn at Occidental - a rustic romantic Inn in Sonoma which I was reviewing for http://www.i-escape.com.
Our journey took us along ruler-straight Tomales Bay, formed by the San Andreas fault, and through bucolic open country and mist-wreathed forests, emerging into Occidental, a cute little village nestling in the woods in the Russian River region.We had a relaxing evening in the Marbles Suite, enjoying a vast Jacuzzi bath together.
And drove like the clappers back to SF the next morning so Colman could get to work and Esme to school on time.
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Pinniped of the Month
Endangered Stellar Sea Lions Eumetopias jubatus are extremely vocal. We saw them holding forth at Race Rocks, their golden pelts gleaming against the rich blue waters in the sunshine. These are the fourth largest sea lion, and they made their presence felt.Cetacean of the Month
A hard choice here! On our whale-watching tour from Victoria on Vancouver Island we saw two noble specimens of this superfamily. The ones which get the vote as most exciting were the pod of Orca Orcinus orca whose bows we crossed, or did they cross ours, twice on the trip. We saw babies, a big family grouping. Our guide estimated they could be as many as 30 in number.
But the prize has to go to the two Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae which we saw from a distance and then at amazingly close quarters. Dubbed Humphrey after the humpback whale in one of Esme’s books, we thrilled to see them right beside the boat. Our guide said she had never seen them so close before, and you could really gauge their size – they can get as large as 16m long. What a great trip!Bird of the Month
I had hoped to see new birds around Vancouver Island. Interestingly, the birdlife across the border differed only slightly to the species encountered in NorCal; the conditions are similar enough. In fact, overall there are less species to see given that the tropical ones don’t venture this far north. 
But there are a few who don’t often venture south. And the delightfully named Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata is one such, sighted on our whale-watching trip. 
I spent much time happily musing over the different gull species - Bonaparte, Glaucous-winged, Ring-billed, Heermann’s, California and Herring – (and grappling with their different plumages over the first 3 years of life) seen in abundance around Canada’s Pacific Northwest coast, far better than around the Bay Area where the Western Gull predominates.
One our last morning on Vancouver Island, we visited a surfing beach, and I prowled the foreshore, catching a glimpse of a striking pattern, which I recognised immediately, a new Life Bird for me! The Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus is a sea duck which bounces like a cork after re-emerging from a dive, and is declining, possibly due to oil spills. I saw a male and two females dabbling and bobbing on the surf as it trickled in and around the rocks.
On our little outing to the charming Newcastle Island a Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus leisurely flew past and alighted in a tree beside our little cove. What a thrill!
Our weekend in Lassen didn’t amount to a great bird count, but on our last morning I got up early, even before the mist started to rise off the water, and went for a stroll around Summit Lake.The air was so still that the reflections hardly shimmered at all. And then I saw it, a little sandpiper busily scurrying and teetering along a half-submerged log, crouching for a nanosecond before scuttering back in the other direction. Its bright orange bill and boldly spotted breast gave it away as a Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia, a new Life Bird for me.
And the coincidence of seeing the same species bobbing on a submerged log on Newcastle Island three weeks later makes it the Bird of the Month.
Mural of the Month
Stencil of the Month
Bumper Stickers of the Month
What If The Hokey Pokey IS What It’s All About?
